Whirlpool, Habitat build hope in Benton Harbor

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BENTON HARBOR, Mich. -- Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) and Harbor Habitat for Humanity have completed construction on the homes built in partnership with Tynisha Murphy and the Patterson family, dedicating the homes in a ceremony that took place Dec. 8. The builds took place on side-by-side lots in the Harbor Shores community of Benton Harbor.

"We couldn't be happier about our long-standing partnership with Whirlpool Corporation," said Erin Hudson, Executive Director of Harbor Habitat for Humanity. "The dedication of the company and its tireless volunteers has truly made a difference in our community and in communities across the country."

Through this build, and the volunteer hours the family put in, Patrick and Brunetta Patterson have achieved their goal of home ownership – improving the living situation for their three daughters and two grandchildren. The Pattersons, who are actively involved in their local church, Our Center for Better Living, never believed that would be possible.

"We are extremely thankful for the opportunity to become homeowners," said Patrick Patterson. "It has been an absolute pleasure to work side-by-side with these volunteers. Without Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool, our dream never would have become a reality."

The build is part of Whirlpool Corporation-sponsored Habitat builds that took place throughout the United States in 2012. Whirlpool also sponsored homes in Amana, Iowa, Clyde, Ohio and at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Whirlpool has been a partner of Habitat for Humanity International for 12 years, supporting Habitat's work in 240 countries and sponsoring more than 100 homes since the partnership began in 1999. In that time, the company has donated a range and ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator to every Habitat home in the U.S. and Canada, totaling more than 140,000 appliances. Whirlpool also supports and participates in the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project and is the first corporation to provide on-going donations to Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets, helping to raise an additional $4.6 million for the organization.